Agenda Packets - 2026/03/23 - Laserfiche WebLink

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• Part A is provides technical assistance and cohort group learning to strengthen the pipeline of local emerging and diverse developers in real estate. 48 developers received technical assistance in 2023. • Part B is a solicitation for projects led by EDD. County invested $3.1 million (across all funding) into projects led by EDD. • Critical Corridors. Assisted 10 qualifying applicants/projects with $2.1 million in Housing & Redevelopment Authority levy funding for place-based investments in three core areas: pre- development planning, commercial corridor initiatives (suburban only) and development and infrastructure • Site Assessment Grants. Program initiated in late 2023. Supported one project in 2023. ▶ HRA 2022 Annual Report – Highlights (1st year of operation) • Affordable Housing Investments. $7.2M of HRA levy obligated to affordable housing projects in 2022. Across all funding streams, Ramsey County leveraged multiple funding sources in 2022 to bring dozens of affordable housing projects closer to realization and invested in the construction of 1,128 new rental housing units and preserved 1,029. Of the total, 571 are classified as deeply affordable for residents earning at or below 30% Area Median Income. • FirstHome Down Payment Assistance. In Fall 2022, County relaunched its down payment assistance program to better align with market realities and offer first-time and first-generation homebuyers with down payment assistance. $187,500 in down payment assistance loans disbursed in 2022. • Critical Corridors. Established in the Fall 2022, 14 grants in its first round of solicitations, totaling roughly $2.3 million in three core areas: pre-development planning, development and infrastructure, and commercial corridor initiatives. Will this change result in Ramsey County shifting its focus from supporting the preservation and expansion of deeply affordable housing? A: No. Ramsey County remains focused on the improving affordable housing infrastructure throughout the county. The MN Legislature made unprecedent investments in housing and housing infrastructure as part of the 2023 Legislative session. The Local Affordable Housing Aid (LAHA) or housing sales tax is estimated to bring resources comparable to that of the HRA levy. This additional funding for affordable housing allows for a slight adjustment of funding priorities of the HRA levy without deviating from the County’s primary focus on expanding and improving affordable housing infrastructure. Who decides on funding priorities on HRA Levy? A: Ramsey County HRA Board is responsible for establishing funding priorities and make final decisions regarding spending of HRA levy. While the County HRA outlines its priorities, it relies on city partners as well as community organizations and developers to ready important projects. Prior to the county’s funding in a project, projects are required obtain a municipal resolution in support in accordance with state statute. EDA and business programming What type of business activities does the County intend to do with this legislative change? A: The County is responding to community requests for enhanced business programming. The small business support (EDA eligible activities) realized by this legislative flexibility would be a strong reelection of those local requests and would initially start at $1.5 - $2 million of our yearly HRA levy to ensure the bulk of resources are remain available and prioritized for housing programs and projects. Funding will continue to align with HRA levy spending directives where 50% of HRA levy spending occurs in suburban Ramsey County and 50% with the City